A group of researchers forming The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders recently performed a systematic search and critical review of neck pain related literature published between 1980 and 2006 to assemble the best evidence on neck pain. Their findings indicate that neck pain is quite common within the general population and is most common in women, especially during middle age. From their evaluation of hundreds of studies, the researchers also found that, "…therapies involving manual therapy and exercise are more effective than alternative strategies for patients with neck pain… Future efforts should focus on the study of non-invasive interventions for patients with radicular symptoms (symptoms radiating down the extremities) and on the design and evaluation of neck pain prevention strategies." In case you weren't aware, chiropractic care consists of non-invasive manual therapy of the spine (neck and back). Many chiropractors are also highly trained on the prevention and wellness aspects of musculoskeletal disorders, implementing strategies and tools their patients can utilize to stay pain-free and healthy. These are just a few of the reasons chiropractic care is so safe and so successful for the management of many musculoskeletal aches and pains including the most common causes of neck pain.